NCGA JOINS LAWSUIT TO OVERTURN WOTUS

JULY 2015

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(Posted Tue. Jul 7th, 2015)

The National Corn Growers Association joined 13 other organizations in filing a lawsuit last Thursday in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas against the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seeking to overturn the “Waters of the U.S.” rule.

Chip Bowling, president of NCGA and a farmer from Newburg, Maryland, issued the following statement:

“Farmers need clarity and certainty about their responsibilities under the Clean Water Act. Unfortunately, the Waters of the U.S. rule does neither. Under the new rule, every farmer and rancher in America now has at least one WOTUS on their farm. That puts far too much power in the hands of the federal government and exposes farmers to considerable liabilities – without actually doing anything to improve water quality.

Clean water is important. Corn farmers remain committed to working with the EPA, the Corps, and other stakeholders to protect America’s water supply.”

Co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit include American Farm Bureau Federation, American Petroleum Institute, American Road and Transportation Builders Association, Leading Builders of America, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Manufactures, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Mining Association, National Pork Producers Council, and Public Lands Council. Similar lawsuits have also been filed by 27 state attorneys general.